Photograph courtesy of San Jose Christian School

Volunteers Needed: School Superintendent Al Kosters sits in front of a group of San Jose Christian School students, in Campbell, who are enrolled in junior kindergarten through eighth grade. The school stresses the importance of being prepared spiritually, academically and emotionally.




Working parents key in children's education

By Amy Jenkins

Borrowing from an old African proverb, education advocate Brenda Virden affirms, "It takes a small village to raise a child today."

The director of community development at San Jose Christian School, 1300 Sheffield Ave., in Campbell, says "That's what we're trying to do here."

As the new school year begins, the private school is trying to emphasize the importance of parent volunteers in a child's education.

If it weren't for busy parents' help, the school could not accommodate as many students as it does. The school has 340 students enrolled in junior kindergarten through eighth grade. Thanks to many dedicated parents, classrooms were made out of a building that used to be a church, and faculty offices were created from a space that held one long conference table. Volunteer parents were also involved in contracting, electrical wiring, painting, space design and donating things such as office partitions.

The role of a volunteer parent has changed over the years, she adds, explaining that in today's world there are typically two working parents, too busy to volunteer time at a school between the morning and mid-afternoon hours.

Nancy Bratz Judas, who has a first-grade son and daughter in kindergarten, felt left out because she didn't have time to volunteer last year. Because she had to work, she couldn't drive to field trips. Instead, she lent her expertise in design. As master planner and space designer, Judas turned newly acquired space into a faculty room, library, administrative offices and classrooms. "I felt like I wasn't the perfect mom when I couldn't volunteer, but now I feel more a part of the school," Judas said.

Working moms are not the only caregivers giving their time. Working dads are also involved in volunteering at the school. Dave Evans, a commercial real estate salesman, offers his time to after school coaching and coordinating parents for help remodeling. He feels fortunate to have a flexible schedule, unlike many working parents. "I am pleased with the opportunity to help," Evans said. "I have seen many other dads in addition to moms helping through donations and even physical labor."

A variety of talents and vocations are transformed into volunteer opportunities at the school. Often, time is given rather than donations. "A grandfather came back after his kids and grandkids attended the school and decided to paint the doors as a physical contribution," Virden said.

Aside from working and volunteering, the school also holds evening dinners and get-togethers for parents to socialize after work ends. This month, the school is holding a "celebrate back to school night" with food and fun games for the children. "I want to get to know parents so when my daughter has a play date at a friend's house I know them," Virden says.

To keep parents with busy schedules informed, the school uses email, gets information about events out early and holds parent-information meetings at a variety of times. Prior to this school year, parent-information meetings were held at night and during the afternoon to accommodate parents' work schedules.

"Working parents build the community by volunteering. They also support the life of the school and give kids pride to say 'Hey my dad made this printer work or installed the phone system,'" Virden said.

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For more information about the school and its volunteer opportunities, call 408.371.7741, or visit www.sjchristian.org.

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